"Phillis Wheatley/Women’s Memorial, Boston, MA | Black Travel | Black Heritage Travel." Black Heritage Travel | Black Festivals | Black Vacations | Black History. 2010. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. <http://discoverblackheritage.com/p
This is a statue of Phillis Wheatley.
hillis-wheatley/>. Early life She was born in Gambia, Africa. Her estimated date of birth is 1755. Phillis Wheatley was enslaved as a child. She learned English, Greek, and Latin. She started writing poems at the age of thirteen. She was educated, although almost all of the slave children were not educated. She was brought to America on a slave ship at the age of 8. When in America she was bought by a man named John Wheatley. Her owner, John Wheatley, taught her to read and wright as well as geography, history, and Latin.
Poetry She became a published author, although it is uncommon for a woman to be published at this time in history. She was the first African-American to publish a book. She was an accomplished African-American woman of letters. Her first book was Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. In 1773 she went to England where her poetry was published. Most of Phillis Wheatley's poems were writen on her becoming Christian and how it helped her. Soon her reputation as a poet was declined and she died virtually unknown.
Later Life Her estimated date of death was 1784. Phillis Wheatley was deeply religious. Weatley married a black man named John Peters.
To show the lab'ring bosom's deep intent And thought in living characters to paint, When first thy pencil did those beauties give, And breathing figures learn from thee to live, How did those prospects give my soul delight, A new creation rushing on my sight? Still, wond'rous youth! each noble path pursue, On deathless glories fix thine ardent view: Still may the paint's and the poet's fire To aid thy pencil, and thy verse conspire! And may the charms of each seraphic theme Conduct thy footsteps to immortal fame! High to the blissful wonders of the skies Elate thy soul, and raise thy wishful eyes. Thrice happy, when exalted to survey That splendid city, crown'd with endless day, Whose twice six gates on radiant hinges ring: Celestial Salem blooms in endless spring. Calm and serene thy moments glide along, And may the muse inspire each future song! Still, with the sweets of contemplation bless'd, May peace with balmy winds your soul invest! But when these shades of time are chas'd away, And darkness ends in everlasting day, On what seraphic pinions shall we move, And view the landscapes in the realms above? There shall thy tongue in heav'nly murmurs flows, And there my muse with heav'nly transport glow: No more to tell of Damon's tender sighs, Or rising radiance of Aurora's eyes, For nobler themes demand a nobler strain, And purer language on th' ethereal plain. Cease, gentle muse! the solemn gloom of night Now seals the fair creation from my sight.
Phillis Wheatley
"Phillis Wheatley/Women’s Memorial, Boston, MA | Black Travel | Black Heritage Travel." Black Heritage Travel | Black Festivals | Black Vacations | Black History. 2010. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. <http://discoverblackheritage.com/pEarly life
She was born in Gambia, Africa.
Her estimated date of birth is 1755.
Phillis Wheatley was enslaved as a child.
She learned English, Greek, and Latin.
She started writing poems at the age of thirteen.
She was educated, although almost all of the slave children were not educated.
She was brought to America on a slave ship at the age of 8.
When in America she was bought by a man named John Wheatley.
Her owner, John Wheatley, taught her to read and wright as well as geography, history, and Latin.
Poetry
She became a published author, although it is uncommon for a woman to be published at this time in history.
She was the first African-American to publish a book.
She was an accomplished African-American woman of letters.
Her first book was Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.
In 1773 she went to England where her poetry was published.
Most of Phillis Wheatley's poems were writen on her becoming Christian and how it helped her.
Soon her reputation as a poet was declined and she died virtually unknown.
Later Life
Her estimated date of death was 1784.
Phillis Wheatley was deeply religious.
Weatley married a black man named John Peters.
Women in History. Phillis Wheatley biography. Last Updated: 1/19/2011. Lakewood Public
Library. Date accessed 1/19/2011 . <http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/whea-phi.htm>.
Poems
A Young African Painter, On Seeing His Works
To show the lab'ring bosom's deep intent
And thought in living characters to paint,
When first thy pencil did those beauties give,
And breathing figures learn from thee to live,
How did those prospects give my soul delight,
A new creation rushing on my sight?
Still, wond'rous youth! each noble path pursue,
On deathless glories fix thine ardent view:
Still may the paint's and the poet's fire
To aid thy pencil, and thy verse conspire!
And may the charms of each seraphic theme
Conduct thy footsteps to immortal fame!
High to the blissful wonders of the skies
Elate thy soul, and raise thy wishful eyes.
Thrice happy, when exalted to survey
That splendid city, crown'd with endless day,
Whose twice six gates on radiant hinges ring:
Celestial Salem blooms in endless spring.
Calm and serene thy moments glide along,
And may the muse inspire each future song!
Still, with the sweets of contemplation bless'd,
May peace with balmy winds your soul invest!
But when these shades of time are chas'd away,
And darkness ends in everlasting day,
On what seraphic pinions shall we move,
And view the landscapes in the realms above?
There shall thy tongue in heav'nly murmurs flows,
And there my muse with heav'nly transport glow:
No more to tell of Damon's tender sighs,
Or rising radiance of Aurora's eyes,
For nobler themes demand a nobler strain,
And purer language on th' ethereal plain.
Cease, gentle muse! the solemn gloom of night
Now seals the fair creation from my sight.
http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/Wheatley/phil.htm+
Bibliogaphy
http://noorshazreen.blogspot.com/2010/07/heart.html
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/painting-characters-with-water-marion-derrett.html
http://www.optimiced.com/en/2007/11/13/pencil/
http://www.propitchingonline.com/?attachment_id=12
http://www.springfieldpubliclibrary.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=227&Itemid=92
http://www.stephanieseymour.us/tag/charm-bracelet/
http://www.amsvans.com/blog/1735-reserved-parking/
http://www2.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/exhibits/constitution/quotes.htm